I just bought the sound decoder and was excited to get this installed in my N scale Kato SD40. The problem is, when I try to make the engine go, the sound cuts out, resets, and the engine stops. It won't go more than probably an inch. I installed the decoder per the instructions. Why is the sound decoder doing this? Also, when the sound cuts out and the decoder stops, one of the LEDs light up a split second, almost as if it were a short. I checked the continuity between the frame and the LED, and there is none. What's going on?
I am taking this decoder back. Not only are the constant restarting problems distracting and annoying, but no way in heck should a locomotive noticeably slow down when you press the bell or horn sound. That happened with this decoder.
I'm done with Digitrax decoders. I'm sticking with MRC from now on. Never had a problem with them, and I like the features a lot better than Digitrax.
gatrhumpy I just bought the sound decoder and was excited to get this installed in my N scale Kato SD40. The problem is, when I try to make the engine go, the sound cuts out, resets, and the engine stops. It won't go more than probably an inch. I installed the decoder per the instructions. Why is the sound decoder doing this? Also, when the sound cuts out and the decoder stops, one of the LEDs light up a split second, almost as if it were a short. I checked the continuity between the frame and the LED, and there is none. What's going on?
Well, it might be too late (since you stated you were taking this item back) but I've heard that sound decoders are more prone to the studders, stops, and starts from dirty track than standard decoders due to their need for the extra power. I'd check all the usual suspects - dirty track, dirty wheels or pickups; as well as the connections between the pickups and the decoder itself. Are they making good contact?
Some people have reported that 'drop-in' decoders are flaky due to the fact that the power connection is usually a contact pad or three, and two metal brass connectors to touch the top of the unit. If everything isn't just right, you get intermittent connection - and something...ANYTHING...can jostle it out of place.
Yes, the track is clean, and the wheels are relatively clean. The unit ran just fine on another decoder (non-sound). Also, I have a sound-equipped Sd40-2 with an MRC 1806 decoder, and that works perfectly. I ran that on the inside track (where the other SD40 that I tried out) ran, and the SD40-2 ran perfectly with no hiccups. That tells me it's the decoder itself.
What the heck kind of decoder noticeably slows down when you turn on a sound like a bell or whistle? I can understand and increased electrical load, but that's ridiculous!
Ummm, the cap was pre-installed. I followed the directions.
To me, it sucked compared to the MRC decoder that I have.
I know a lot of people have had problems with MRC decoders and have sworn them off, but having tested the Digitrax decoder, I like the MRC better for the following reasons.
1.) Decoder does not hesitate or reset itself
2.) Can play two sounds at once without it noticeably slow down.
3.) Automatically plays brake sounds when stopping.
4.) Plug-and-play
gatrhumpyI know a lot of people have had problems with MRC decoders and have sworn them off, but having tested the Digitrax decoder, I like the MRC better for the following reasons. 1.) Decoder does not hesitate or reset itself
Did you install a keep-alive capacitor as the instructions recommend? Here's a quote from AJ himself (easily found with a simple search) on that very decoder/issue:
<begin quote>
The sound decoder instruction sheets _recommend_ that a hold-over capacitor is installed and wired to the decoder from the pads shown, to ensure operation with intermittent power pickup. This may be caused by dirty track or poor pickup compliance, or both. We include a 330uF/25V capacitor for this purpose. If your track stays clean and the locos run well, then this is not required, since there is some internal decoder power holdup. We did not include this part as SMT on the PCB because; it is quite large and constrains the use of the decoder in _many_ locomotives (particularly N), and a customer can lower this size or increase it, as conditions warrant. A good small choice is a 47uF/16V capacitor, but 25V is safer in case the unit is used on higher voltages by accident. Another good compromise is a 100uF/25V electrolytic, and the SMT version at about 6.3x7.7 mm is quite compact and it is straight forward to add wires to the leads and install.
</end quote>
1. Digitrax has a history of resetting itself with this decoder. Google it.
2. See #1.
3. Agreed.
4. I consider that plug and play.
Yes, it was pre-installed from the factory.
gatrhumpyYes, it was pre-installed from the factory.
I assume you're referring to the keep-alive capacitor on the SDN144K1E being pre-installed?
That's interesting, because both AJ's comments that I posted previously, as well as the SDN144K1E instructions (specifically Step 5, beginning on the bottom of page 3 and marked "Optional"), indicate that a capacitor is included but is NOT attached to the decoder due to possible space considerations.
I was referring to the capacitor, and yes, it was already attached to the board. It was small enough that it fit in front of the front LED.
Those instructions that you posted are outdated.
Impasse reached............................
garrhumpy never going to be convinced about the Digitrax decoder, a good many more of us will never be convinced about MRC decoders. No point in continuing the discussion, it is what it is.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I instructed the person who bought it for me to return it, but her has not done that yet.
Apparently I can solve one of my problems by turning off the BEMF CV 57.
gatrhumpy I instructed the person who bought it for me to return it, but her has not done that yet. Apparently I can solve one of my problems by turning off the BEMF CV 57.
Well First Off just want to mention I 2 layouts use all Digitrax (Decoder, commands Station, Booster, Stationary Decoders, etc) I have been very satisfied except with their sound decoders they are very dificult. But I plan to use transponding and no one else supports it. Anyway one of the fixes is to install a larger CAP.
47 micro-farad 20 volt cap (Digikey part number 718-1091-1-ND). This cap is 7.3mm x 4.3mm x 2.8mm. in a surface mount package. A couple of other capacitors that may work: 718-1394-1-ND 220 micro farad 16v 7.3x4.3x4.0 $5.90 718-1633-1-ND 220 micro farad 20v 7.2x6.0x3.5 $6.72 718-1605-1-ND 330 micro farad 16v 7.2x6.0x3.5 $7.92 718-1057-1-ND 100 micro farad 16v 7.3x4.3x2.8 $1.39 717-1024-1-ND 100 micro farad 20v 7.3x4.3x4.0 $2.68 All the above part numbers are from DigiKey. The dimensions are in millimeters.
second, if your getting reseting every couple of seconds I had that issue also, you need to reset you command station. i.e. you have used all the loco slots this is a big issue with the Zephyr since they only support 20 locomotives and if you enter some bad number by accident you can fill up all the slots.
third it seems on some locomotices with 2 axels vs 3 axels are more sucestiable.
Well any ways on to my issue hope someone can help me.
I find that I need to run my locomotives with no load for 10 to 15 min in each direction once the enginee is warmed up can run it with a load of cars. I am paring up non-sound with a sound unit for my MU's here is my big torn. Even with clean track, larger CAP, every once in a while sound decoder will stall.
Before it will start moving it need to go though it's little startup ritual well that is fine and dandy but I don't need it. 1) sound on these decoders is so low that the electric engine is louder some times that the sound. So what I would like to know is if any one know how to turn off all the startup chuffs and other sounds I want it to recoup and start off to original speed.
- No slow startup
- No gradual speed up
- no startup chuff or other sound straight to im running down the track at prvious speed.
mythink